The New York Division of Historic Preservation recently recognized eleven outstanding projects with the New York State Historic Preservation Awards. Projects highlighted at this year’s awards include an ambitious neighborhood rehabilitation effort in Newburgh, the restoration of an iconic candy shop in Buffalo, and the scholarship and preservation of Puerto Rican casitas (cottages) in New York City. [Read more…] about 2024 New York State Historic Preservation Awards Recipients
Hispanic History
The 250 Anniversary of the Revolution in New York: Some Bicentennial Lessons
As we begin gearing up for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, it would be great to have an overarching theme or themes that “explain” New York’s history.
That would be a tall order, given our state’s complex history. But the State Museum and the State Bicentennial Commission attempted it back in 1977. They came up with three themes: materialism, diversity, and change. [Read more…] about The 250 Anniversary of the Revolution in New York: Some Bicentennial Lessons
The Mexican American Experience in Texas
In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, Martha Menchaca, a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas, Austin, joins us to explore the Spanish and Mexican origins of Texas with details from her book, The Mexican American Experience in Texas: Citizenship, Segregation, and the Struggle for Equality (University of Texas Press, 2022). [Read more…] about The Mexican American Experience in Texas
New York City Civil Rights History Resources
The New York Civil Rights History website has primary sources for teachers and students on histories of oppression, ableism, racism, and resistance, material that is often left out of the curriculum.
The project was inspired by New York City high school student activists who wanted to better understand the history of their city and their schools. [Read more…] about New York City Civil Rights History Resources
Monticello: A Saga of the Catskills & New Mexico
Those familiar with Sullivan County, NY history likely know the story well: the brothers Samuel Frisbee Jones and John Patterson Jones, born in Connecticut, came here from Columbia County around 1804 and founded the community they called Monticello, which upon the erection of the County a few years later becomes the County Seat and still later the first incorporated village in the county. [Read more…] about Monticello: A Saga of the Catskills & New Mexico
Cotton Mather’s Spanish Lessons
In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, Kirsten Silva Gruesz, a Professor of Literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz, joins us to explore the life and work of Cotton Mather, a Boston Puritan minister who actively sought to counteract the work of Catholic conversion, with details from her book Cotton Mather’s Spanish Lessons: A Story of Language, Race, and Belonging in the Early Americas (Harvard University Press, 2022). [Read more…] about Cotton Mather’s Spanish Lessons
A Republic of Scoundrels: Schemers, Intriguers, and Adventurers
We now have a more clear-eyed understanding of Founding Fathers such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton; even so, they are often considered American saints, revered for their wisdom and self-sacrificing service to the nation.
However, within the generation of founders of the United States there lurked many unscrupulous figures — men who violated the era’s expectation of public virtue and advanced their own interests at the expense of others.
They were turncoats and traitors, opportunists and con artists, spies, and foreign intriguers. [Read more…] about A Republic of Scoundrels: Schemers, Intriguers, and Adventurers
Woman Dies Crossing Great Chazy River: Some Background
On Tuesday, December 12 at about 6:30 pm, US Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office requested NYS Forest Ranger assistance with the search for 31-year-old Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores, who was reported missing by her husband on Monday, December 11th.
On Wednesday, December 13th, nine Forest Rangers arrived to helped coordinate linear search assignments. Investigative efforts narrowed the primary search area to the Great Chazy River. [Read more…] about Woman Dies Crossing Great Chazy River: Some Background
LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Survey Underway
The LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Project is conducting a survey to understand LGBTQ+ historic sites in the United States. The goal is to find out who is doing this preservation work on LGBTQ+ historic sites, what they are doing, and where they are doing it. [Read more…] about LGBTQ+ Historic Sites Survey Underway
Roberto Clemente State Park Celebrates Golden Anniversary
The Bronx United Drumline set the party atmosphere for a celebration of 50 years of Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx.
Roberto Clemente State Park is a 25-acre waterfront park located along the Harlem River. The park offers a variety of recreational and cultural activities year-round for youth, adults, senior citizens and the physically challenged. [Read more…] about Roberto Clemente State Park Celebrates Golden Anniversary
The Great Depression in New York City: A Primer
As the 1920s advanced, the economy soared. But with that dramatic expansion came irrational exuberance and unchecked speculation: stock prices reached levels that had no basis in reality; margin purchases were rampant; banks handed out loans lavishly and imprudently; and giddy product production resulted in a vast oversupply of goods.
On Tuesday, October 29, 1929, it all came crashing down. This is the story of the Great Depression in New York City. [Read more…] about The Great Depression in New York City: A Primer
Citigroup Acknowledges it ‘Indirectly’ Profited from Slavery – Maybe
Citigroup now acknowledges that its predecessor banks may have indirectly profited from slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Connections with slavery include a 19th century bank president who promoted the Cuban sugar trade, the relationship between the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company, one of Citigroup’s predecessor banks, and Alabama cotton planters, and Lehman Brothers, which merged with Citibank in 1998 and in the 1850s traded in cotton. [Read more…] about Citigroup Acknowledges it ‘Indirectly’ Profited from Slavery – Maybe
Labor History: Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct & the 1961 Track Workers Strike
There were only 14 horses at Saratoga Race Course in late July of 1961. By that time, it was expected that at least 200 would have arrived for the racing season. Strikes led by Jimmy Hoffa and a branch of the Teamsters Union, Local 917, halted the transportation of horses from New York City to Saratoga Springs. [Read more…] about Labor History: Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct & the 1961 Track Workers Strike
St Augustine and Early Florida
In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, Charles Tingley, Senior Research Librarian at the St. Augustine Historical Society, joins host Liz Covart to explore the early American history of La Florida through the lens of one of its capitals: the city of St. Augustine. [Read more…] about St Augustine and Early Florida
Archer M. Huntington: Titan Arts Patron of New York City
As New York City reached its Silver Jubilee in 1923, one of the ways it celebrated 25 years since its formation as a greater city uniting the five boroughs was to have residents vote on the six people who had done the city the most good. Who made the Big Apple’s early honor list? [Read more…] about Archer M. Huntington: Titan Arts Patron of New York City
Cuba: An Early American History
One of the places that Christopher Columbus stopped at during his 1492 voyage was an alligator-shaped island at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, between the Yucatán and Florida peninsulas – the is the island of Cuba.
What do we know about early Cuba, the island the Spanish described as the “Key to the Indies?” What kind of relationship and exchange did early Cuba have with British North America and the early United States? [Read more…] about Cuba: An Early American History
Andalusian Allure: From Washington Irving to Thomas Edison
Washington Irving was the son of immigrants. His father was a Presbyterian Scot, his mother Cornish. He was born on April 3rd, 1783, the same week that New Yorkers celebrated the ceasefire that ended the American Revolution. His parents named their son after George Washington. They had settled at 131 William Street, Manhattan, and were part of the city’s merchant class.
Washington began writing letters to the New York Morning Chronicle in 1802. He gained recognition as a satirical author in 1809 with A History of New York using the pseudonym Dietrich Knickerbocker. He riveted readers with his irreverent combination of fact and fancy. [Read more…] about Andalusian Allure: From Washington Irving to Thomas Edison
Tango Mania: From Brothel to Concert Hall
On September 11th, 2021, the traditional Last Night of the (BBC) Proms took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Away from the usual and rather bizarre jingoism, this performance was memorable for the “revolutionary” introduction of an accordion on stage.
Latvian virtuosa Ksenija Sidorova was the first accordion soloist ever to be invited to play on such an occasion. Her interpretation of Astor Piazzolla’s 1974 composition “Libertango” brought a packed house to its feet. [Read more…] about Tango Mania: From Brothel to Concert Hall
The Saratoga Race Course Backstretch Backstory
The saga of thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course has largely been told by and about the horse owners, tycoons, the rich and famous of their era.
The people who actually care for the horses, the backstretch (barn area) workers, grooms and hot walkers often receive little attention. [Read more…] about The Saratoga Race Course Backstretch Backstory
The Floating Pool Lady: Bringing A Public Pool to NYC’s Waterfront
In The Floating Pool Lady: A Quest to Bring a Public Pool to New York City’s Waterfront (Cornell University Press, 2021) Ann L. Buttenwieser recounts her triumphant adventure that started in the bayous of Louisiana and ended with a self-sustaining, floating swimming pool moored in New York Harbor. [Read more…] about The Floating Pool Lady: Bringing A Public Pool to NYC’s Waterfront